Introduction to Theories

Question 1

What are theories, and what can they do? (2)

Answer 1

• Theories are understood as “general explanations supported by evidence, scientific method”.
• They help in predicting, explaining, understanding, intervention and control.

Question 2

Theories and their context (4):

Answer 2

• When was it written? (time)
• What was the spatial context? (space)
• Who wrote it?
• What was the race, gender and class of the person who wrote it.

Helps locate positions of power and privileges.

Question 3

Fact and value; Western vs. Critical view (3):

Answer 3

• Western view: separation of fact and value in social work practice.
• Critical social workers: there is no value free research or practice.

Values and facts are related.

Question 4

Sources of knowledge for social work (6):

Answer 4

• Organisational knowledge.
• Practitioner knowledge.
• Policy community knowledge.
• Research knowledge.
• User and carer knowledge.
• Knowledge base on own experience.

Question 5

3 Paradigms of social theory (world views):

Answer 5

• Positivism (universal laws, generalisations, casual laws).
• Interpretative (interpret ideas, meanings and feelings).
• Critical (location of people’s experience in structures of power).

Question 6

Positivism (4):

Answer 6

• Measure social phenomena in an objective value.
• Values neutrality and rationality.
• Generalisation.
• Predictability.

Question 7

Interpretivism:

Answer 7

• Understanding rather than measuring “reality”.
• Explores person’s experience but not the context which they live.
• Conservative practice may lead to maintaining status quo and making people adapt, adjust and rehabilitated within an oppressive system.

Question 8

Critical paradigm:

Answer 8

• Critical of the unequal distribution of power.
• Link the personal experience with the structural.
• Consciousness-raising and opening up possibilities for action.